We would like to thank all those who attended the Stop the Kidnapping in Sulu protest-rally at Mendiola, Malacanan last March 26, 2014. It was indeed heart-warming and encouraging to see fellow Tausugs going out of their way to attend the rally and contribute their own tarpaulins and streamers in order to support the urgent call for the President to stop the senseless kidnappings and restore normalcy in what is seemingly a total collapse of governance in Sulu. We also would like to thank our brothers and sisters from Lanao, Maguindanao, Davao and Cotabato and kins from the indigenous peoples who responded to our invitation. They came to Manila from as far as Tawi-tawi, Basilan and Sulu to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and from the airport, they proceeded straight to the rally with their trolleys and luggages just to catch up the scheduled rally. There were also contingents from Taguig and Malate who attended. When the protest-rally had started, it was unfortunate that it was interrupted by so-called marshalls from two Moro organizations who claimed that the rallyists could not hold the anti-kidnapping rally because they were the ones who have secured a permit for another festive celebratory event related to the signing of the CAB. We reasoned that we are also here to support the signing and in fact we have decided to hold the rally earlier at 2pm so that we could not disturb their event which was scheduled at 6pm yet. As there were already members of the national and international media who were already there, we have decided to proceed and asked Bapa Joe to begin his speech so that footages and photos could be taken. We had two other speakers from Sulu, namely Prof. Octa Dinampo and Prof. Sahie Udja who were lined up to speak. It was shocking though that while Bapa Joe was delivering his speech, these camp of the marshalls who claimed to have the permit of Mendiola turned their sound system on full volume blast and Bapa Joe could not be heard anymore. As the situation turned foul and ugly and we didnt want to create animosity in public with fellow Moros -- we have decided to pullout our forces. The whole episode leaves a bad taste in the mouth but we maintain sabar because we hold dearly the unity and solidarity that should bind the Moro people especially those claiming to be activists and progressives. We trust the assurance of the leaders of this group that they will spearhead a big rally and will even deliver a privilege speech in Congress to expose the kidnappings in Sulu as they are of course against the kidnappings. Let us do this as soon as possible and demonstrate to the public especially to our leaders that there is a freedom and political space to hold this rally in Mendiola, Padre Faura and or in the Batasan and that we are united with this issue. We leave this issue in the hands of this big Moro network who is highly experienced and well-connected to hold this rally on a much bigger scale. With our full cooperation and solidarity, InshaAllah, we will be able to get the much needed attention and action to stop the kidnappings in Sulu.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 00:39:10 +0000